Hassan, Margaret (1944–2004)

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Hassan, Margaret (1944–2004)

Iraqi relief worker. Born Margaret Fitzsimons, 1944, in Dublin, Ireland; died c. Nov 14, 2004, in Iraq; attended Leicester University; m. Iraqi-born Tahseen Ali Hassan (economist), 1961; no children.

Moved to Iraq (1972); taught English to Iraqis, converted to Islam, learned fluent Arabic, and became an Iraqi citizen; was director of studies at British Council in Baghdad and a vocal critic of UN sanctions; while serving as director of Care International during war in Iraq, was abducted at gunpoint in Baghdad (Oct 19, 2004), held hostage, appeared in 3 harrowing videos, then killed.

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